Congress looks at local voting delays

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – November’s election brought about several gripes from local voters, including long lines at the polls, confusion over absentee voting and poorly trained poll workers.

To address election reforms and the problems associated with 2012 Election Day voting, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a public forum in the Belmont Bay area of Woodbridge on Monday, Jan. 14.

“There’s a blot of the world’s greatest and oldest democracy that the most sacred function we have in a democracy, the exercise in the right to vote, would be in any way impeded, delayed, curtailed or discouraged,” Connolly says.

According to Connolly, the committee will look at ways to reduce the long lines and increase opportunities for “no excuse” absentee voting and same day registration in federal elections, along with better training for poll workers.

The event, which will also include Congressman Elijah Cummings, D-Md., will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Osprey’s at Belmont Bay at 401 Belmont Bay Drive in Woodbridge.